Verizon Samsung Saga
Overall Rating:
5 out of 5
By: Brian Bush on Wednesday, March 18, 2009 5 out of 5From: Cortland, NY (United States)
Experience: 5 Days
Pros: Wow everything.... really!
I have been using a 700w then wx for the last 3 years and this phone fixed everything and added more goodies than I know what to do with! No more missing emails that disappear during a phone call while working on something, and the list goes on.Cons: Not really a con but the "windows" start key is a little out of place iMO, the location.
I also wish you could power the screen down from double hitting the end call
If you use bluetooth a lot make sure you get the extended battery (or at least the car charger)Summary: This is the phone to have, if you were debating.. get it. This phone is perfect for business or just having fun; today I was up on the slopes listening to my mp3's w/ my wireless BT Voyager 855's and it was sweet, on the lifts I was knocking off some emails keeping the inbox manageable on my day off. I think the keyboard on the front is a must (personal opinion) to be a good business phone especially if you are on the road a lot. I think the slider phones are fine for kids playing and texting but just don't cut it otherwise. Again the feel is great, the extended battery is a must have for folks like me on the phone all day and using wireless. On wireless it's great being able to hit a hot spot and use high speed internet vs the network. Again Microsoft's WM6 is really tight vs wm5 big plus there, far far fewer 'bugs' and annoying behaviors. The "mouse" or pad is going to take some getting used to vs the treo but it isn't a big deal and many will love it from the go. I guess that is it for now, but man this is a great phone and you will enjoy it. I will say it would be nice to get a decent music app, wmp is still a joke? Common m$ watch apple and learn. The added resolution on this phone makes for a very pleasurable experience on the web or looking at documents, spreadsheets, pdf etc.. I still wish you could setup word and excel to view like a screen shot how the pdf's works so you can easily zoom in and out.. not many people edit docs and xls on a phone limited and not very usable anyway (m$ issue not this phone). Blue tooth functions extremely well and has GREAT range iMO, the treo's BT was a joke.
PS this unit gets a 6th star with the extended battery being used.
I have been using a 700w then wx for the last 3 years and this phone fixed everything and added more goodies than I know what to do with! No more missing emails that disappear during a phone call while working on something, and the list goes on.Cons: Not really a con but the "windows" start key is a little out of place iMO, the location.
I also wish you could power the screen down from double hitting the end call
If you use bluetooth a lot make sure you get the extended battery (or at least the car charger)Summary: This is the phone to have, if you were debating.. get it. This phone is perfect for business or just having fun; today I was up on the slopes listening to my mp3's w/ my wireless BT Voyager 855's and it was sweet, on the lifts I was knocking off some emails keeping the inbox manageable on my day off. I think the keyboard on the front is a must (personal opinion) to be a good business phone especially if you are on the road a lot. I think the slider phones are fine for kids playing and texting but just don't cut it otherwise. Again the feel is great, the extended battery is a must have for folks like me on the phone all day and using wireless. On wireless it's great being able to hit a hot spot and use high speed internet vs the network. Again Microsoft's WM6 is really tight vs wm5 big plus there, far far fewer 'bugs' and annoying behaviors. The "mouse" or pad is going to take some getting used to vs the treo but it isn't a big deal and many will love it from the go. I guess that is it for now, but man this is a great phone and you will enjoy it. I will say it would be nice to get a decent music app, wmp is still a joke? Common m$ watch apple and learn. The added resolution on this phone makes for a very pleasurable experience on the web or looking at documents, spreadsheets, pdf etc.. I still wish you could setup word and excel to view like a screen shot how the pdf's works so you can easily zoom in and out.. not many people edit docs and xls on a phone limited and not very usable anyway (m$ issue not this phone). Blue tooth functions extremely well and has GREAT range iMO, the treo's BT was a joke.
PS this unit gets a 6th star with the extended battery being used.
Windows Mobile Done Right!
Overall Rating:
4 out of 5
By: Bruce Lawson on Tuesday, December 09, 2008 4 out of 5From: San Diego, CA (United States)
Experience: 20 Days
Pros: Design (keyboard, screen, buttons easily accessible), optical mouse, Windows 6.1 is WONDERFUL, Today Screen, MemoryCons: (Standard) Battery life (Recommend extended battery), Few accessories so far. Non-standard headphone jack.Summary: As a long time Pocket-PC/Windows Mobile owner, I had to decide whether I wanted to razzle-dazzle my friends and learn a new touch-gismo operating system, or buy something familiar with a minimal learning curve. I chose the latter, especially because I already owned a big library of 3rd party WM software, and also, I was anxious to “enjoy” the fixes and upgrades contained in Windows Mobile 6.1. Virtually everything is painless and easy now. The optical mouse makes all the difference in the world. No more reaching for a stylus! WiFi connect was completely painless. The many upgrades to Outlook email has eliminated the need for 3rd party email programs and integrates very well with other features. Most 3rd party applications designed for WM5 and earlier seem to work fine on 6.1. The increase in memory is a godsend. The device itself is very attractive, light, and fits comfortably in a shirt pocket. Battery life was inadequate for my usage, so I bought the extended battery. This IS the device Windows Mobile was meant to be. If you're not Windows Mobile (or Pocket PC) savy, you're going to struggle a while, but give yourself a chance!
8 out of 8 people found this review helpful
samsung saga
Overall Rating:
4.2 out of 5
By: Timmo Rice on Thursday, December 04, 2008 4.2 out of 5From: Santa Cruz, CA (United States)
Experience: 25 Days
Pros: its like a mini computer with a phone functionCons: battery life is a bit weak, upgrade to the extended battery , add 16 GB micro card and you have a mini computer.Summary: I really like this phone, I got it for $149 waiting for a $70 rebate check to make it only 79 bucks. Data plan is 29.99 and it connects with ease either wifi,or boadband. The opera browser is great for my purposes. NO COMPLAINTS HERE. Although I'm not a business user its entirely for phone, web browsing and entertainment. Kicks ass for my use. RECOMMEND IT OVER OMNIA, IPHONE,and others
6 out of 7 people found this review helpful
First 5 days...
Overall Rating:
4 out of 5
By: Luther Palmer on Monday, December 01, 2008 4 out of 5From: Cleveland, OH (United States)
Experience: 5 Days
Pros: Optical mouse is a game changer and a must have for me on all future phones. Syncs to my Outlook calender. I like Windows, sue me. WiFi, 3G, worldphone, everything you would want.Cons: Kinda big, but I expected that when I ordered the phone. I could use more programmable buttons, but don't want the phone to get any bigger.Summary: The optical mouse makes every part of this phone experience better. Once you have used it, you won't be able to use a phone without it. Mark my words, in one year, all phones will have the optical mouse feature. It's that good. The Windows Mobile hangs rarely, but not enough to complain about. Syncs perfectly with my Microsoft Outlook. Ships with the Opera web browser that everyone likes. I'd like to install Touch Flo 3D on this phone, I'm sure someone will figure that out soon.
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful
Saga vs Treo
Overall Rating:
3.2 out of 5
By: Jim s on Sunday, November 30, 2008 3.2 out of 5From: ludlow, MA (United States)
Experience: 4 Days
Pros: Lightweight, Optical mouse, nice touchscreen, camera resolution Cons: Long form factor, short battery life, sensitive mouse, windows hangsSummary: I just received this phone. previously a Palm 700wx user. couldn't wait to get rid of the palm and say goodbye to daily soft resets.
I was a little taken back by the size of the saga. long form factor. larger than the palm, but much lighter and thinner. nice for a shirtpocket, but not pantspocket!
Runs WM6.1, and as such, it's quite slow and unresponsive. was able to hang the device in first 10 minutes of use, merely by bringing up the browser and going to my.yahoo. device hung loading, couldn't exit the application and device wouldn't respond to windows Start button. Reset!
Touchscreen is nice, however, cannot find a way to disable it while on a call. Press your fact too hard against the screen and your cheek can hit the call end button that is part of the Call screen. Or, when ending your call, you might find any number of programs open. Unlike the Treo, I have not found a way to disable the touchscreen while on a call.
The device has a on/off button that needs to be pressed to wake the device up. Apparently it's vulnerable to being pressed while in your pocket, despite being on top of the phone and requiring a recessed push. I've taken it out of my pocket most every time to find the device on with many programs open (calendar, alarms, etc).
Doesn't appear you have any/much control over programming various hard keys on the device. Left and right side keys only. Windows has program for programming Fn keys, but it doesn't allow you to actually set anything up.
Optical mouse is nice, but very sensitive to the touch. Cannot find anyway to adjust sensitivity. There are no up/down/side buttons. Must use the mouse in 4way mode and slide mouse. Very difficult to navigate to where you want the mouse to be, especially if your typing and want to reposition cursor.
Battery life can't hold a candle to Treo, unfortunately. I happen to use Goodlink, which is either pushing mail continually or manually. If continual, it will burn the battery out in about 6 hours. Treo will go for well over a day.
I wanted so much to like this phone and say goodbye to Treo problems, but, it's back to my treo for now. This one's going back to verizon, and I'll need to figure out some other Global solution. Unfortunately, Blackberry is not an option. Might be a trip to AT&T.
I was a little taken back by the size of the saga. long form factor. larger than the palm, but much lighter and thinner. nice for a shirtpocket, but not pantspocket!
Runs WM6.1, and as such, it's quite slow and unresponsive. was able to hang the device in first 10 minutes of use, merely by bringing up the browser and going to my.yahoo. device hung loading, couldn't exit the application and device wouldn't respond to windows Start button. Reset!
Touchscreen is nice, however, cannot find a way to disable it while on a call. Press your fact too hard against the screen and your cheek can hit the call end button that is part of the Call screen. Or, when ending your call, you might find any number of programs open. Unlike the Treo, I have not found a way to disable the touchscreen while on a call.
The device has a on/off button that needs to be pressed to wake the device up. Apparently it's vulnerable to being pressed while in your pocket, despite being on top of the phone and requiring a recessed push. I've taken it out of my pocket most every time to find the device on with many programs open (calendar, alarms, etc).
Doesn't appear you have any/much control over programming various hard keys on the device. Left and right side keys only. Windows has program for programming Fn keys, but it doesn't allow you to actually set anything up.
Optical mouse is nice, but very sensitive to the touch. Cannot find anyway to adjust sensitivity. There are no up/down/side buttons. Must use the mouse in 4way mode and slide mouse. Very difficult to navigate to where you want the mouse to be, especially if your typing and want to reposition cursor.
Battery life can't hold a candle to Treo, unfortunately. I happen to use Goodlink, which is either pushing mail continually or manually. If continual, it will burn the battery out in about 6 hours. Treo will go for well over a day.
I wanted so much to like this phone and say goodbye to Treo problems, but, it's back to my treo for now. This one's going back to verizon, and I'll need to figure out some other Global solution. Unfortunately, Blackberry is not an option. Might be a trip to AT&T.
5 out of 6 people found this review helpful
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Saga is a worldphone (GSM capable), has a touch screen and separate qwerty keyboard.